bobnsteam wrote:Guys,A friend from Mexico tells me rail personnel in Mexico place thin explosive packets on railsthat explode on wheel contact. Anyone ever hear of this practice? For what purpose?Bob

Probably torpedoes. Sounds like a gunshot when a train goes over them. Early signalling device used to warn an approaching train to stop in an era before radio communications. Still used at Durango & Silverton in Colorado.

Back when I was a brand new part of the Milwaukee Road 261 they were still carried in the cab. I don't recall when they disappeared, but I know they haven't been there for quite a number of years. I never heard one being used. Mark D.